This year’s commencement speakers include distinguished alumni Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD; Serena Martin ’05; Christopher Pappas ’81; and Zaven Paul Akian ’64. Dr. Westphal and Martin will receive honorary degrees during the undergraduate ceremony, while Pappas and Akian will be honored at the graduate ceremony.

“We are grateful to Joseph Westphal, Serena Martin, Christopher Pappas and Zaven Paul Akian for agreeing to be such an important part of our 130th Commencement, inspiring Adelphi’s Class of 2026 and their guests with their wisdom, success and positive impact on society,� said Susan Dinan, PhD, Adelphi’s interim provost. “All of us at Adelphi look forward to sharing this special day with these extraordinary individuals.�

Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD

Ambassador Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, a distinguished scholar, diplomat and public servant whose career spans decades of consequential service across government and academia, will receive an honorary degree and deliver the Commencement address at Adelphi’s undergraduate ceremony. Educated at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø and the University of Missouri-Columbia, he served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2014 to 2017, and as under secretary of the Army and chief management officer from 2009 to 2014, among other senior roles in five presidential administrations spanning Carter through Obama. A professor of political science by training, Ambassador Westphal has led institutions including the University of Maine System as chancellor and held faculty and administrative posts at Georgetown, The New School, and Oklahoma State University. He currently serves as senior global fellow at the Joseph H. Lauder Institute at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as well as senior fellow at Wharton’s Center for Leadership and Change Management. He also holds fellowships with the National Academy of Public Administration, the Foreign Policy Research Institute and The American Academy of Diplomacy, among others.

Serena Martin ’05

Serena Martin ’05, founder and executive director of New Hour for Women and Children LI, which provides programs and reentry support for justice-impacted women across Long Island and Rikers Island jails and within New York state prisons. She also leads statewide policy reform efforts for criminal justice-impacted women and will also receive an honorary degree at the undergraduate ceremony. A tireless advocate for carceral reform across New York state, Martin has championed landmark legislation including anti-shackling laws prohibiting the shackling of incarcerated mothers during labor. She serves on Governor Hochul’s NYS Domestic Violence Task Force and has contributed to multiple statewide reform initiatives. A survivor of isolated confinement, she earned her bachelor’s degree from 91³Ô¹ÏÍø and is the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2024 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal.

Christopher Pappas ’81

Christopher Pappas ’81, founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Chefs’ Warehouse, will serve as speaker at the graduate ceremony and will receive an honorary degree. After graduating with a degree in business administration and competing as a varsity basketball player at Adelphi, he played professionally in Europe—an experience that helped inspire his entrepreneurial path. In 1985, he co-founded what would become The Chefs’ Warehouse, a premier specialty food distributor now serving top chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals across North America and the Middle East. Under his guidance, the company has grown into a respected publicly traded enterprise, navigating defining challenges including 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Pappas has served on the boards of the International Foodservice Distributors Association and Hudson National Golf Club.

Zaven Paul Akian ’64

Z. Paul Akian ’64, a technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career spans aerospace, defense and global manufacturing, will also receive an honorary degree at the graduate ceremony. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Adelphi, Akian contributed to NASA’s Apollo program and built and led multiple successful enterprises over five decades, including Western Filter Co. and Integra Technologies, serving clients such as the U.S. Armed Forces, NASA, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Through the Akian Family Foundation, he has made significant investments in educational and cultural institutions, including the American University of Armenia, whose College of Science & Engineering bears his family name. He previously served on the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Board of Trustees and has been recognized with significant humanitarian honors from the Armenian Apostolic Church and the president of Armenia.

Learn more about 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s 130th Commencement ceremonies.

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“We partner with community groups that directly service community members as a way to provide opportunities for upward mobility for folks to get access and entry into careers that offer a livable wage,â€� says Sandra Castro, PhD, senior associate dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø.

For the students in these programs, earning a certification is the first step toward a healthcare career and the financial stability that comes with it.

Preparing Hempstead Adults for In-Demand Healthcare Roles

Students practicing phlebotomy techniques through Adelphi’s partnership with Hempstead Schools Adult Education.

When 91³Ô¹ÏÍø launched a partnership with and in late 2025, the response from the community was immediate. To identify and enroll students, the program turned to Hempstead Union Free School District’s Adult and Community Education Program, and demand quickly outpaced expectations. “We started with one cohort, and then about six weeks later, another cohort—and people are still calling to enroll,â€� says , director of adult and community education at Hempstead Union Free School District.

Roughly 36 students received a full scholarship and are expected to complete the certification course by June. “This scholarship is really impactful,� Gottlieb says. “Depending on the school, this program could cost $4,000 or more. For someone making minimum wage, that expense can be difficult to meet.�

Many of the enrolled students came through Hempstead’s adult education program, and the district also hosted the in-person classes. Students pursuing careers in vital healthcare and social service fields were eligible to apply for the fully funded scholarships.

“There is a pressing need for adults to obtain credentials efficiently, in ways that allow for rapid entry into sustainable careers,� Gottlieb notes. Many adult learners in the Hempstead Adult and Community Education Program are navigating day-to-day financial responsibilities while working demanding jobs, which makes participation in extended programs impractical. In response to these realities, courses have been intentionally structured differently from traditional models, allowing students to complete certification within a condensed time frame of approximately three to four months.

“The biggest benefit is that students are learning how to invest in themselves and think about their future, and it gives a sense of dignity and opportunity,� Gottlieb says.

Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Women on the Path to Healthcare Careers

Women re-entering the workforce are learning skills to make them workforce-ready via Adelphi’s partnership with New Hour for Women and Children LI.

This May, the first student cohort will graduate from Empowerment Through Employment: 91³Ô¹ÏÍø and health careers program. Funded by a grant from , this program benefits formerly incarcerated women through New Hour For Women and Children LI’s network of community programs and support services. “Three out of four are moms, so we recognize that the need for higher education and licensure is really critical to creating a safe stable home and economic stability,â€� says Serena Martin ’05, founder and executive director of New Hour For Women and Children LI.

The program connects women to Adelphi’s professional certification courses to prepare New Hour For Women and Children LI members for in-demand healthcare careers such as clinical medical assistants, , , , and more. The grant also provided women with laptops and the software they need to complete their certification. “A lot of funders and higher education folks underestimate the cost for returning students who are living paycheck to paycheck,� Martin says.

The courses, which are fully online and asynchronous, were designed to accommodate students’ competing priorities. “Most women are already working, they’re already parenting,� Martin says. “Being able to do the course on their own time, at their own pace—after work or after they put the kids to bed—is really amazing.�

To ensure success after graduation, Adelphi provides support with résumé-building assistance, career counseling, interview preparation and job search assistance, individual counseling, and externship placement. Students also receive biweekly check-ins, in-person lunches with Adelphi staff and a dedicated case manager.

Members like Tiara [last name withheld] exemplify the drive and determination of women participating in the program. The clinical medical assistant program certificate she’s earned is just one credential on the path to becoming a certified medical assistant.

Funding currently covers two cohorts over two years. The next will start in June with another group of women. Interest in the program has been strong since the launch—there’s already a waitlist for the next cohort—and New Hour For Women and Children LI and Adelphi are actively seeking funding for additional cohorts in the future.

“Our women are so thirsty to work,� Martin says. “You will not find a more responsible worker than someone who understands what it’s like to have lost their freedom and is now looking to fight hard and get back on their feet.�

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The scholarship, awarded by the Adelphi College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS), strives to provide support for adult students of any kind. Sandra Castro, PhD, senior associate dean of CPCS, highlights the variety of students the scholarship helps. “We have a whole generation of students that are caring for siblings, parents, relatives. Adelphi says ‘We see you’ and we want to support you in making your academic career,� she said.

The Caring for Caregivers scholarship has recently expanded from students in CPCS to any student at Adelphi. “I was floored by how many applications we received,� said Dr. Castro. The growing number of applicants highlights the importance of providing assistance to students who are parents or caregivers at Adelphi, and how impactful more family-friendly policies could be on campus.

Meet the Awardees

Haley Friday, one of this year’s recipients of the scholarship, returned to school to study after taking a semester off to care for her grandmother. Speaking about CPCS and the asynchronous learning it offers, she said, “It gave me the flexibility to continue school while still managing my everyday life and caregiving responsibilities, which meant a lot to me.� For students like Friday, the scholarship not only recognizes her, but provides some much-needed relief from juggling school and caregiving. “It has also helped me cover out-of-pocket school expenses, which gave me some financial breathing room and even allowed me to do something nice for myself for the first time in a long time. That means more than people probably realize.�

Fellow scholarship winner Jquan Collins said of his role as a caregiver, “I take pride in being dependable. To me, being a caregiver is not just about big moments, but also about the everyday effort, patience and responsibility that comes with putting others first.� Collins, who is studying business administration, said the motivation to attend Adelphi came from a desire to open doors both professionally and personally. Becoming a father strengthened that motivation. “I want to set an example of hard work, discipline and perseverance for my children,� he said.

For Rachel Freeman, who works full time while caring for her three-year-old, going back to school was important to her in order to challenge her and help her in her career path. She said, “Going back to school felt like the right way to push myself and get out of my comfort zone.� For Freeman, who is studying , being chosen was incredible news. Even simply hearing about the scholarship made an impact on her. “I was relieved that at the university level there was some formal recognition that working, going to school and being a parent was hard!� she said. “It sounds obvious—of course it’s difficult—but I was encouraged by this simple statement of support, and decided to apply for the scholarship.�

The Impact of the Scholarship

Across the board, the scholarship winners shared a similar sentiment: The recognition of being chosen, and the acknowledgement of how difficult balancing school and taking care of loved ones can be, made a serious impact. “This scholarship means a lot to me because it recognizes not only my academic efforts, but also the responsibilities I carry outside of school,� said Collins. “It serves as motivation to keep pushing forward, even when balancing work, school and family life feels overwhelming.�

This scholarship is made possible by the Women’s Giving Circle, a group whose collective philanthropy celebrates, promotes and supports Adelphi and its students, faculty and programs. “They’ve supported us the last four years in the different iterations of the scholarship,� said Dr. Castro. The Women’s Giving Circle, funded by member donations, is run by a team of volunteers who work to make it possible to provide financial aid to students. It’s through their continued support that students like Friday can keep taking care of the ones they love.

“This scholarship not only supports my education, but it also supports the work and care I give to the people who depend on me every day!�

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The film, What the Notes Say, was created under the guidance of three faculty mentors and ultimately submitted to the prestigious competition. For the students involved, the project became far more than an academic assignment—it was an unforgettable lesson in the power of storytelling, creativity and collaboration.

Working as a team, the students learned firsthand what it takes to bring a meaningful vision to life: balancing roles, supporting one another through challenges, and combining individual talents into a shared success. The experience underscored how teamwork and dedication can transform a student project into something with lasting impact.

Two students were flown to Hollywood to attend the awards ceremony, where the project received national recognition. When the moment arrived, the announcement was unforgettable:

“And the winner is… What the Notes Say!�

As then-Department Chair and Adelphi alumnus Paul Pitcoff ’65 reflected, the honor was “a testament to how significant student hard work, dedication, and passion can guide and affect educational advancement.�

Their achievement remains a lasting example of the creativity, teamwork, and excellence that define our alumni community—and a reminder of what students can accomplish when they come together with purpose.

We proudly recognize the talented student filmmakers from the Classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976: Rich Baron, Patrice Benneward, John Bencivenga, John Costello, Kurt Derner, Rosemary Ravinal, Sharon Thompson, Walter Trepashko, Tom Bisset, Sean Britt, Ken Cohn, Dorie Hightower, Karen Grossman and Rich O’Neill, along with their faculty mentors Marge Hudson, Len Price and Paul Pitcoff.

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Described as a player with “firecracker feet,” the defending national Midfielder of the Year, two-time NCAA Champion and All-American is the first Adelphi Panther ever to be drafted to a team in the , which was co-founded in 2018 by Paul Rabil.

Lewis, a senior majoring in exercise science, was the only Division II student-athlete selected in the draft and just one of two non-Division I players, joining Jack Regnery from DIII Tufts University.

During the 70 games in his Adelphi career, the Franklin Square, New York, native has scored more than 100 times, including the overtime game winner in the 2025 title game. As the PLL draft was airing on ESPNU on Tuesday, Lewis was busy scoring a season-high four goals in the No. 1 Adelphi lacrosse team’s crucial top 10 matchup against No. 9 Pace University.

“If I had to describe Kyle, I’d say he’s elite on the field and unmatched in character,” said Head Coach Gordon Purdie ’88. “The PLL isn’t just getting one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever coached, they are getting one of the most sincere men I’ve ever known.”

Returning to the site of the Adelphi lacrosse program’s eighth national championship in Philadelphia in 2024, Lewis will play for Bill Tierney, who coached at the University of Denver and Princeton before joining the PLL coaching ranks. Tierney is also a Long Island native.

Lewis joins a list of Adelphi greats to make it to the next level of professional lacrosse, including teammate Dylan Renner, who was picked up by the Utah Archers following the 2025 National Championship and was the first Division II player to be drafted to the PLL since 2021. Current Adelphi assistant coach Greg Puskuldjian ’14, from Glen Head, New York, was the 13th pick in the 2020 PLL Player Entry Draft after coming over from Major League Lacrosse when the leagues merged.

There was a time when Lewis considered other options, entering the transfer portal last summer to weigh the possibility of transferring to a Division I institution. After choosing to remain in Garden City, he was named both the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year and was the only Division II player to be on the first installment of the prestigious Tewaaraton Watch List at the start of 2026.

“Being selected in the draft is a by-product of Kyle’s perseverance and commitment to lacrosse,” said Greg Bouris, an assistant teaching professor of sport management at Adelphi with more than 35 years of experience in the professional sports industry. “It is also a testament to the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø athletic program. Under Coach Purdie’s guidance, Adelphi has maintained its status as one of the most successful lacrosse programs in the entire NCAA ecosystem. Kyle’s selection, in the backdrop of the NIL and transfer portal era, also confirms that an athlete with the skill level to play professionally should make their collegiate choices based on a number of factors, including the fact that the individual will be a non-player for most of their lives.”

The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø men’s lacrosse team is riding a 22-game win streak that dates back to the 2025 season, including a 13-0 stretch this year. Lewis and the team conclude their regular season on Saturday, April 18, at Motamed Field in Garden City, New York, and will earn the regular season Northeast 10 crown for the third time in the past five seasons.

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Parking Field 1 is open and the impacted area is blocked off to provide the Facilities team time to clear glass and other debris before returning to full normal operations.

The cooperation and continued support of the community in maintaining a safe campus environment is greatly appreciated.

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View a for alternative entries to the Garden City, NY campus.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call the Public Safety Command Center at 516.877.3511.

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Whether you want to study the stars, master the art of the remix or intern for a global brand, these are a few highly recommended summer classes, personally selected by the summer classes team and Adelphi faculty.

You can dive into the topics you’re actually curious about, knock out those PATH general education requirements in a more focused environment, take on an internship or travel the world—all while keeping your graduation timeline on track.

You can see all the courses here, but take a look at these standouts.

Explore the Cosmos (and Check Off Your Science Credit)

Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered how it all started? Astronomy (PHY-104) takes you from the Big Bang to the formation of distant galaxies.

If you’re a STEM major or pre-med student, you can also power through College Physics I and II (PHY-111/112).

The perk: You get a deep dive into scientific reasoning while satisfying your PATH natural science requirement.

Study in Australia: The Ultimate Field Trip

If a traditional classroom feels too small, Introduction to Tropical Marine and Terrestrial Systems (BIO-215) is your ticket to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian rainforest. You’ll participate in real ecological research in some of the most biodiverse (and threatened) spots on earth.

Earn your PATH natural science credits while building a résumé that literally spans the globe.

Make This a Summer of Creativity

Summer is the perfect time to let your creative side breathe without the pressure of a full fall/spring course load.

• The History of Animation (ARH-260): Trace the magic from Disney to Tim Burton.
• Introduction to Digital Art (ART-125): Learn Photoshop and Illustrator to build a professional portfolio from scratch.
• The American Hip Hop Phenomenon (MUH-242): Explore how turntables and Tupac changed global culture.

These courses satisfy your arts PATH requirement while fueling your artistic passions.

Understand Human Behavior

Want to understand what makes people tick? Our social sciences offerings help you see the world through a different lens:

• Cultural Anthropology (ANT-111): Learn to think like an ethnographer and understand diverse global traditions.
• General Psychology (PSY-101): A foundational look at the mind, from biology to social influence
• Media and Children (COM-205): Analyze how TikTok, TV and movies shape the development of the next generation.

You will gain essential “people skills� for any career while fulfilling your PATH social sciences requirement.

The Global Career Accelerator: Work for Netflix or L’Oréal

Looking for an internship-style experience without the commute? The is an online experiential program where you’ll work on real-world projects for companies like Netflix, Intel and the Grammys.

• Collaborate: Work with students from 50-plus countries.
• Earn 3 academic credits and up to 4 industry micro-credentials.

This course is a massive résumé booster that proves you can thrive in a remote, international workforce.

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Centeno isn’t alone in using her Adelphi social work experience to create an organization outside the clinic, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is a key ingredient in their process. One of the nation’s highest-ranked social work programs, the Adelphi MSW infuses human rights, racial justice and anti-oppressive practices throughout its curriculum, which includes classes focused on using law and legislation to promote policy change. A social action initiative each spring works with area nonprofits in antiracist and criminal justice advocacy work—perhaps serving as an inspiration to alumni who end up creating their own paths.

Healing Trauma Through The Arts

The Playbill for Somewhere Between, a Foster Care Unplugged stage production exploring the journey of foster youth, performed at the Mark O’Donnell Theater in Brooklyn on March 27 and 29, 2026.

Centeno cites Adelphi’s program as a formative part of her career. When taking acting classes, she realized that performance wasn’t all that different from group therapy. “Acting is responding to something that is not real, so you have to tap into your emotions to get there,â€� she said. At the same time, foster children are often deeply skeptical of traditional therapy, worried their words will be used against them or their family. The performance-based practice, Centeno said, can help them overcome mistrust by recognizing that others feel the same way they do, and working together to produce a creative project.

“I remember one girl who wouldn’t speak to anyone when she first came in, but by the end of the program, she would not be quiet,� said Centeno. The proof is in the numbers: Foster Care Unplugged has a 93 percent retention rate—a level virtually unheard of in foster care programs—and surveys have found a rise in self-esteem of 23 percent after the 12-week program. In leading the program, Centeno draws upon the hands-on training she got at Adelphi. “So many classes weren’t just ‘read this text, write this paper,’� she said; rather, they put students in the shoes of clients through journaling and other experiential activities to develop empathy. “They taught me to actually live out the journey of the clients I was about to serve.�

Cynthia Jean celebrates the Spring Forward Hope for Pink Event, held at Kendra Scott SoHo in New York City.

Expanding Breast Cancer Education

Cynthia Jean, MSW ’12, also draws upon personal passion at her nonprofit, . In 2014, Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer, yet struggled to find accurate information about her options for treatment and recovery, especially as a young woman of color. “I didn’t find a lot of information provided for women who look like me or who are in my age group,� said Jean, who is Haitian American. “You had to dig for it.� After her cancer went into remission, Jean founded to offer information and guidance to other women through health fairs and other events and organizations, empowering women to advocate for themselves. Too often, for example, doctors immediately propose mastectomy when less invasive treatments are available or don’t adequately inform patients about genetic testing or the importance of monitoring after treatment.

Founding Hope for Pink in 2024 has further expanded Jean’s mission to advocate for policy changes on a higher level to expand treatment for underserved populations. At Adelphi, she took courses in political social work, and attended a certificate program at

Participants gather at the Spring Forward Sweat Fete, a pink awareness health and fitness event celebrating breast cancer awareness and community wellness.

the University of Connecticut’s that focused on influencing government policy. She has since drawn upon that background as part of the , which advocates for more equitable access to cancer screening tools, and , which facilitates free or low-cost screening for uninsured women. “I was always interested in having a broad impact, knowing that policy is important, because that’s where change happens,� she said.

Music in Dementia Care

Dan Cohen, MSW ’78, similarly focused on the political aspects of social work during his time at Adelphi. “My goal was not to be a counselor or do clinical social work, but more about what systems I might be able to help change,� he said. After earning his degree, his life took a detour into the technology field for four decades, but he always remained interested in social justice. When he heard about a new device called the iPod in 2006, he began volunteering in nursing homes, setting up elderly residents with music from their youth. He was amazed at the results. “You could have residents who were out of it for weeks or months, and then all of a sudden they spring to life,� he said.

At the same time, he struggled with red tape, eventually creating a nonprofit, , to cut through it, training teams in some 5,000 hospitals and assisted living facilities to integrate music as part of residents’ treatments. As he dug into the science, he found that exposing elderly patients to music is associated with a 48 percent decrease in depression. “If you had a pill that did that, every doctor would want to prescribe it,� he said. In addition, music results in dramatic decreases in falls and choking by dementia patients who show improved attention, as well as decreased burden on caretakers.

A woman responds joyfully to personalized music as part of the Right to Music program, which uses individualized playlists to spark connection and engagement in older adults.

As wonderful as music can be as a treatment, Cohen said, it struggles for recognition amid the deep-pocketed advertising budgets of pharmaceutical companies. He has since started a new organization, , to advocate on an international level, raising awareness and seeking to change policies to facilitate the introduction of music in gerontological settings. Among other endeavors, he’s been involved in work through the to expand access to music in care settings around the world, as well as efforts to free up money from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to devote to music and dementia efforts in the United States. “At Adelphi, I found some smart, passionate people who helped me focus my own skill set and understand a bit more about the paths to systems change,� he said. “My social work degree certainly laid the foundation for me to move confidently as I now try to make change.�

The Adelphi MSW program is available in three locations—Garden City, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie—and, this fall, will also be part of the University’s new Manhattan Center.

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